HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board Study Session 2024-03-12RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado March 12, 2024
Minutes of a Study Session meeting of the TOWN BOARD of the Town of
Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held at Town Hall in the
Board Room in said Town of Estes Park on the 12th day of March, 2024.
Board:
Attending:
Also Attending:
Mayor Koenig, Mayor Pro Tem Cenac, Trustees Hazelton,
Lancaster, MacAlpine, Martchink, and Younglund
Mayor Koenig, Mayor Pro Tem Cenac, Trustees Hazelton,
MacAlpine, Martchink and Younglund
Town Administrator Machalek, Deputy Town Administrator
Damweber, Town Attorney Kramer, and Deputy Town Clerk
Beers
Absent: Trustee Lancaster
Mayor Koenig called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
ELECTRIC RATE STUDY.
Director Bergsten stated the electric rate study planned in 2020 was delayed due to
COVID. He reviewed how a cost -of -service model was used in the development of the
proposed new rates in order to continue to maintain a strong and sustainable financial
condition, to ensure high -quality utility services, and plan for future upgrades. The
electric utility was identified as a cost -based entity which relies solely on user fees.
Costs and revenues must be balanced to maintain operations and replace aging
infrastructure. He stated rate studies ensure equitable rates between customer classes.
In 2023, the Town contracted with NewGen Strategies & Solutions who presented the
Estes Park Power and Communications Rate Study Introduction and Financial Forecast
Results. Megan Helper/NewGen Strategies & Solutions Project Manager and Lead
Analyst reviewed the retail rate study process which was broken down into three steps:
financial forecast, cost allocation, and rate design. The financial forecasting model was
identified as a 5-year forward look, electric only (no Trailblazer costs included), which
projects financial performance and enables Power & Communication to perform
scenario analyses and impacts to retail rates. The financial forecast assumptions
included a $2 million average annual capital plan for 2024 through 2029; assumes no
grant or bond money would be used to fund capital; 1.5% average annual energy
consumption growth; and an annual increase to Platte River Power Authority (PRPA)
rates of 5% from 2025-2029. A 5% increase was recommended over the next six years.
Board comments have been summarized: Whether variable rates are taken into
consideration; causes of the 1.5% average annual energy consumption growth; debt to
service ratio; if the forecast included the projected increase through the Fish Hatchery
project; timeline for utility rate changes; the Board stressed the importance of creating
and promoting educational documents to help customers understand ways to reduce
increases in usage to keep rates low; the value of promoting the Larimer County Low -
Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) especially for fixed -income residents; and
the cost of the rate study. Staff would draft an ordinance for Board consideration at a
future meeting.
SHARED PARKING AGREEMENTS.
Town Administrator Machalek stated staff were approached by a business owner
interested in redeveloping a property adjacent to the Events Complex and parking lot,
and expressed interest in negotiating a shared parking agreement with the Town.
Section 7.11.G.2 of the Estes Park Development Code allows Town staff to approve
shared parking facilities for developments or uses with different operating hours or
different peak business periods if the shared parking complies with certain standards
related to location, zoning classification, shared parking study, and written agreement.
Staff requested Board feedback and interest in utilizing Town -owned parking spaces to
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town Board Study Session — March 12.2O24—Page 3
Pro Tern Cenao contacted the Colorado Association of Ski Town'o to determine if other
communities have addressed the issue. The Board recommended translating
informational documents into Spanish as well as other languages if needed. Staff would
draft an ordinance for Board nunoidondion, would set a 6-month and 1'yeoroheck in.
and would develop resources including translation options.
TRUSTEE & ADMINISTRATOR COMMENTS &QUESTIONS.
Discussion ensued regarding potentially suspending aeauunu| paid parking during the
Downtown Estes Loup construction and impacts to the regular meeting Consent
Agenda#0 Resolution 17'24. The item would be pulled for additional discussion by the
Board.
Trustee Martohnk provided the Board with interest in updating the Transportation
Advisory Board bylaws to include ajoint consideration between the Chair and the staff
liaison prior to holding or cancelling meetings. He stated although existing bylaws have
a provision for the cancellation of regular scheduled meetings, the joint communication
for holding or cancelling meetings would benefit both staff and the members to only hold
meetings when nmneoaa;/. Headded the Board considering an update tnthe bylaws
would show support in cancelling meetings with no agenda for the best use of staff and
volunteer time.
FUTURE STUDY SESSION AGENDA ITEMS.
Town Administrator K8aoho|ok requested and it was determined to add the Trailblazer
Broadband Construction Update toapproved unscheduled.
There being no further business, Mayor Koenig adjourned the meeting at 6:45 p.m.
Bun-onaBeers, Dop '` Town Clerk